Entrance and Exit Counseling
All Federal Subsidized and Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are borrowed through the Federal Direct Lending program. If you are a new or returning student, you will have to complete the following to receive a Federal Direct loan or Federal PLUS loan:
Additional Information
- Direct Loan program 1 (800) 557-7394 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST, Monday thru Friday)
- Direct Lending FAQ's
Annual Limits for Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and contained several provisions impacting federal student aid, including Federal Student Loan repayment plans, Federal Student Loan limits, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, and Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. These changes will begin on or after July 1, 2026.
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Academic Year:
- No change to the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
- No change to the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
- No change to the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan and Unsubsidized Loan aggregate limits for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
Students entering college or changing programs/majors after July 1, 2026:
- Undergraduate students may be eligible for up to $20,000 per year in Parent PLUS Loans, with a $65,000 aggregate limit. Students who previously received a Parent PLUS Loan may be eligible to continue borrowing under current limits for up to three academic years or the remainder of their program, whichever is less.
- Graduate PLUS Loans have been eliminated for new borrowers. Existing Duquesne University borrowers may retain eligibility if credit approved for up to three academic years or the remainder of their program, whichever is less.
- Graduate students may be eligible for up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with an aggregate limit of $100,000. Existing Duquesne University borrowers may be eligible to continue borrowing under current limits for up to three academic years or the remainder of their program, whichever is less.
- Professional students may be eligible for up to $50,000 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with an aggregate limit of $200,000. Professional students include Law, Pharm D, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Sets lifetime borrowing limit on all federal student loans, excluding Parent PLUS Loans received as a student, to $257,500 ($57,500 as an undergraduate student).
- Several changes were made to loan repayment options, including the creation of a new standard repayment plan and a new income-based repayment plan (RAP). Several existing plans will be eliminated on July 1, 2028. For more information, please visit studentaid.gov.
Dependent Undergraduate
(Excluding dependent students whose parents can't get Federal PLUS - see Independent Undergraduate chart below)
| Federal Subsidized | Total (Federal Subsidized & Federal Unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman (0 - 29 credits) | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| Sophomore (30 - 59 credits) | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| Junior/Senior (60+ credits) | $5,500 | $7,500 |
Independent Undergraduates
And Dependent Students whose parents can't get Federal PLUS
| Federal Subsidized | Total (Federal Subsidized & Federal Unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman (0 - 29 credits) | $3,500 | $9,500 |
| Sophomore (30 - 59 credits) | $4,500 | $10,500 |
| Junior/Senior (60+ credits) | $5,500 | $12,500 |
Graduate & Professional Students
| Federal Subsidized | Total (Federal Subsidized & Federal Unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| All years | $0 | $20,500 |
Under the Federal Direct Loan program, we are forced to define our Academic Year as Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Therefore, Federal Direct Loans are limited to an academic year (defined as Fall, Spring, and Summer terms) maximum based on a student's grade level listed above. If a student has utilized the maximum Federal Direct Loan during the preceding Fall and Spring, the student will not be eligible for a Summer Federal Direct Loan. If the student did not, they will be eligible for the remaining amount of the above limits.
Federal Direct PLUS loans
There are no set limits for Federal Direct PLUS Loans, but you may not borrow more than the cost of education minus any other financial aid received.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Limit
Background:
On May 16, 2013, the government added a new provision to the Federal Direct Loan requirements.
The new requirement limits a first-time borrower's eligibility for Federal Direct
Subsidized Loan to a period not to exceed 150% of the length of the borrower's educational program.
Under certain conditions, the provision also causes first-time borrowers who have exceeded their 150% limit to lose the interest subsidy on their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans.
Who is impacted?
This limit applies only to first-time Federal Direct Subsidized loan borrowers on
or after July 1, 2013. If you borrowed a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan that was disbursed
to your student account before this date, you are not subject to the new limit.
If you are impacted by the limit:
- You will only be able to borrow Federal Direct Subsidized Loans for 150% of the length
of your academic program. The length of your academic program is determined by how
long it would take a full-time student to complete the program in years.
- Example #1: You are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and attending full-time. Your program takes four years to complete as a full-time student. Your "Maximum Eligibility Period" for Federal Subsidized Loans is six years (150% of 4 years = 6 years). If you are unable to complete your program in four years while attending full-time, you are eligible to continue to borrow Federal Direct Subsidized Loans up to a maximum of six years.
- Example #2: You are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and attending full-time. Your program takes five years to complete as a full-time student. Your "Maximum Eligibility Period" for Federal Subsidized Loans is 7.5 years (150% of 5 years = 7.5 years). If you are unable to complete your program in five years while attending full-time, you are eligible to continue to borrow Federal Direct Subsidized Loans up to a maximum of 7.5 years.
- Example #3: You are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and attending part-time. Your program takes four years to complete as a full-time student. Your "Maximum Eligibility Period" for Federal Subsidized Loan is six years. However, since you are not enrolled full-time, your calculated "Subsidized Usage Period" will be less than that of a full-time student as you borrow Federal Subsidized Loans. Therefore, you will not use up your eligibility as fast as a full-time student would.
What happens if I exceed my limit?
If you exceed your Maximum Eligibility Period you are still eligible to borrow from
the Federal Direct Loan program. However, you will not be eligible for any future
Federal Subsidized Loans. You would only be eligible for Federal Unsubsidized Loans.
Also, your prior Federal Subsidized Loan borrowing will be converted to Federal Unsubsidized,
and you will be responsible for the interest on your loans (which was previously subsidized
by the government).
Graduate Students:
As a graduate student, you are not eligible for Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. Graduate
students are only eligible for Federal Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate students who are
new borrowers as of July 1, 2013 are therefore not subject to this new limit since
you are not eligible for Federal Direct Subsidized Loans.
If you have any questions about the Federal Subsidized Loan limit provision, please contact us. We will help to answer your specific questions and can verify your remaining eligibility if applicable.